When a rich team in an increasingly difficult division signs a top free agent prospect to a huge contract, certain tensions are bound to arise. As soon as the player puts up his first lousy game, the haters will pounce, supporters will grumble, and talk radio will light up with fervid debates about distractions, bad culture fits and locker room discord.

Whether there’s truth behind the naysayers or not, the new partners have too much money and ego on the line to call it quits. There’s really only one option. Make it work.